Support Bowen Family - Chris & Rick, Warsaw, ON
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Married in 1997, in a small ceremony in Warsaw, with close family in attendance. They share so much time together and truly are a couple that were destined to be together - only meeting by chance the day before Rick was scheduled to head to BC. Soon after meeting, life began to take shape as they merged 3 children from Chris’s life and 2 from Rick’s. A beautifully blended family.
A few short years later, Chris and Rick welcomed their adopted daughter Jasmin – starting back at diapers in their 50’s. Jasmin is now 13 years old and entering grade 8. She is the center of their lives.
Rick, a Carpenter by trade, would work all day, then come home to work on things at his own home and the homes of others. He has always been there, helping people that needed help, and even painting, which he hates.
Chris, a PSW currently employed with VON. She helps people in their homes, whether it be caring for recent injuries or ailments or sometimes just providing company and having a cup of tea together. Chris has been caring for others most of her life. She is known as someone who is always helping family, friends and others, with a place to stay, a helpful hand, or a few dollars to get by. Chris and Rick had revolving doors that rarely stopped.
Some of you may not be aware that several years ago Rick’s pancreas stopped working properly and he started to have medical problems. But he carried on and though he could not work, he became the much-needed stay at home to Jasmin. He prepared the meals and made sure things were done around the house, so Chris could work the job she loved of helping people.
This past year has brought upon the Bowen Family many struggles and stresses of life. In early June 2019, Rick began feeling sick and weak again but he couldn’t place his finger on it. Of course he wasn’t going to a doctor unless he was wheeled in by ambulance. And that’s what happened. After many tests and being picked at for days, a large mass was found and it was determined that Rick has liver cancer. He was referred to Toronto to further investigate. During this time the stress began to hit an all-time high.
On June 19th 2019 Chris took sick, believing it was maybe just stress or possibly Vertigo. But she remained in bed, not able to move or function properly. By June 27th 2019, Chris was admitted to Peterborough Regional Health Centre. After several days of being sick and not getting any better, frustration and concern began to set in. Everyone at PRHC was trying everything they could to make her comfortable and give her the support she needed.
With Chris admitted to PRHC with many unanswered questions about her own health, Rick was forced to face his appointment in Toronto on July 4th 2019 without her. It was then that he learned that he in fact has Vascular Cancer, meaning his condition is terminal, with an approximation of only 6 months of his life remaining. As he shared the news with his loving wife, more concerned for her than himself, the walls started spinning around them as they sort through their concern for one another. The pressure is insurmountable.
The very next day, on Friday July 5th, more devastating news came. After an MRI, the doctors reported that Chris had a mass on her brain and she needed surgery. She was transported to Kingston General Hospital and waited several days for the surgery to take place. On July 11th Chris had her surgery to remove the mass on her brain with no guarantee what after surgery may look like for the family.
Throughout their lives, Chris and Rick have always been known as people who step forward to give what they can to those in need. They’ve helped family members, friends - new and old-, their friends’ friends, and so on. Basically anyone in need, connected to their circle of people, have all been qualifiable candidates for their giving - the only condition ever being that help was needed.
With a 13-year-old daughter still living at home and serious illnesses preventing either of them from working, they are now the ones in need of help. This page is a call for help from those who surround them, and those who are connected to their circle of people.
Your loving donation is much appreciated and will be used to cover expenses related to providing for their daughter Jasmin and maintaining the household.
A few short years later, Chris and Rick welcomed their adopted daughter Jasmin – starting back at diapers in their 50’s. Jasmin is now 13 years old and entering grade 8. She is the center of their lives.
Rick, a Carpenter by trade, would work all day, then come home to work on things at his own home and the homes of others. He has always been there, helping people that needed help, and even painting, which he hates.
Chris, a PSW currently employed with VON. She helps people in their homes, whether it be caring for recent injuries or ailments or sometimes just providing company and having a cup of tea together. Chris has been caring for others most of her life. She is known as someone who is always helping family, friends and others, with a place to stay, a helpful hand, or a few dollars to get by. Chris and Rick had revolving doors that rarely stopped.
Some of you may not be aware that several years ago Rick’s pancreas stopped working properly and he started to have medical problems. But he carried on and though he could not work, he became the much-needed stay at home to Jasmin. He prepared the meals and made sure things were done around the house, so Chris could work the job she loved of helping people.
This past year has brought upon the Bowen Family many struggles and stresses of life. In early June 2019, Rick began feeling sick and weak again but he couldn’t place his finger on it. Of course he wasn’t going to a doctor unless he was wheeled in by ambulance. And that’s what happened. After many tests and being picked at for days, a large mass was found and it was determined that Rick has liver cancer. He was referred to Toronto to further investigate. During this time the stress began to hit an all-time high.
On June 19th 2019 Chris took sick, believing it was maybe just stress or possibly Vertigo. But she remained in bed, not able to move or function properly. By June 27th 2019, Chris was admitted to Peterborough Regional Health Centre. After several days of being sick and not getting any better, frustration and concern began to set in. Everyone at PRHC was trying everything they could to make her comfortable and give her the support she needed.
With Chris admitted to PRHC with many unanswered questions about her own health, Rick was forced to face his appointment in Toronto on July 4th 2019 without her. It was then that he learned that he in fact has Vascular Cancer, meaning his condition is terminal, with an approximation of only 6 months of his life remaining. As he shared the news with his loving wife, more concerned for her than himself, the walls started spinning around them as they sort through their concern for one another. The pressure is insurmountable.
The very next day, on Friday July 5th, more devastating news came. After an MRI, the doctors reported that Chris had a mass on her brain and she needed surgery. She was transported to Kingston General Hospital and waited several days for the surgery to take place. On July 11th Chris had her surgery to remove the mass on her brain with no guarantee what after surgery may look like for the family.
Throughout their lives, Chris and Rick have always been known as people who step forward to give what they can to those in need. They’ve helped family members, friends - new and old-, their friends’ friends, and so on. Basically anyone in need, connected to their circle of people, have all been qualifiable candidates for their giving - the only condition ever being that help was needed.
With a 13-year-old daughter still living at home and serious illnesses preventing either of them from working, they are now the ones in need of help. This page is a call for help from those who surround them, and those who are connected to their circle of people.
Your loving donation is much appreciated and will be used to cover expenses related to providing for their daughter Jasmin and maintaining the household.
Organizer
Bobby-Jo Preston
Organizer
Warsaw, ON